I took Charlotte to the dealer (High Country Power Sports in Salt Lake City) for some work and I asked them to calibrate the auto suspension along with all the other stuff.In the process of trying to do that they discovered that the compressor was shot. I remember at some point reading about someone else here with a limited with a bad compressor who found and aftermarket one for far less money. I can't find that thread. Does anyone remember that thread and who it was. I have a Zephyr warranty but not sure if it will cover the compressor. Anybody have any ideas.
Happy TRAils/NSD
Paul
2012 RT L
AMA 25 years Life Member
TRA
PGR
Rhino Riders Plate #83
Venturers #78
TOI
As you weigh your options going forward, you might want to consider a stiffer rear spring. My experience with a 2012 RTS led me down a path of installing stiffer rear spring so I didn't need the air suspension. After the spring change, I ran the bag at the lowest setting.
Here is the after market compressor. Way better than the POS stock compressor and fits right in. Just have to solder on the BRP connector.
Bob
2011 RT-S SM5 - Black
Bought June 2013 with 450 miles. 27K on 8-1-2017.
Farkles - DIY Trunk Break Light, HMT Break Light, DIY Mirror Turn Signal Lights, DIY Bluetooth Dongle, DIY iPod Setup, DIY Alarm System Install, Show Chrome front fender / rear saddle bag lights, 4th break light around the trunk, Vented Windshield, Baja Ron Sway Bar, DIY GPS setup, Smooth Spyder, BRP Chrome Mirrors, Adjustable deflectors, Triaxis handlebars, NVB Pegs, Bad Boy Airhorn... More to come
Most of the failures of the stock pump are due to the motor brushes wearing out. They can be replaced.
There was a post here about a year ago of a guy that did it and as I recall it had picture or a video.
Bob
2011 RT-S SM5 - Black
Bought June 2013 with 450 miles. 27K on 8-1-2017.
Farkles - DIY Trunk Break Light, HMT Break Light, DIY Mirror Turn Signal Lights, DIY Bluetooth Dongle, DIY iPod Setup, DIY Alarm System Install, Show Chrome front fender / rear saddle bag lights, 4th break light around the trunk, Vented Windshield, Baja Ron Sway Bar, DIY GPS setup, Smooth Spyder, BRP Chrome Mirrors, Adjustable deflectors, Triaxis handlebars, NVB Pegs, Bad Boy Airhorn... More to come
have seen a lot and once on the way back from SITR I stopped to see if I could help one of BRP's ambassador parker on the side of the road with his wife. Come to find he had to stop every number of miles and pull out a tire pump (compresso) and give the suspension a boost. Said they have been working on it for some time and it was not the first one to go bad...I think finless has the solution if your out of warranty...
Gene and Ilana De Laney Mt. Helix, California
2012 RS sm5
2012 RS sm5 , 998cc V-Twin 106hp DIY brake and park brake Classic Black
I have a '14 RT LTD (9k on it) that we got in July '14.
Last month on a long trip back home, the rear shock would not any air. Noticed it when we would hit a bump and we could hear and feel something scraping. I could put air in via the valve under the seat and you could see the back end raise up but with the two of on it, the air quickly left the shock empty again. Wife got to ride the rest of the way home with another Spyder pilot. With just me on the Spyder the rear shock would stay pumped up bit longer but after a hour or so it would be empty again.
During all of this, trying to use the switch to harden/soften the suspension would result in an error stating to use the manual air.
So when we got back home, took her to the shop and the tech came back with the news that the compressor needed to be replaced. Of course everytime I have needed anything that came from BRP results in a 10 business day delivery from Canada.
Anyway the compressor was replaced under warranty and all is well now. Although I'm not sure why a broken compressor would make the shock lose its air. Maybe someone here can edumakate me on it.
I have a '14 RT LTD (9k on it) that we got in July '14.
Last month on a long trip back home, the rear shock would not any air. Noticed it when we would hit a bump and we could hear and feel something scraping. I could put air in via the valve under the seat and you could see the back end raise up but with the two of on it, the air quickly left the shock empty again. Wife got to ride the rest of the way home with another Spyder pilot. With just me on the Spyder the rear shock would stay pumped up bit longer but after a hour or so it would be empty again.
During all of this, trying to use the switch to harden/soften the suspension would result in an error stating to use the manual air.
So when we got back home, took her to the shop and the tech came back with the news that the compressor needed to be replaced. Of course everytime I have needed anything that came from BRP results in a 10 business day delivery from Canada.
Anyway the compressor was replaced under warranty and all is well now. Although I'm not sure why a broken compressor would make the shock lose its air. Maybe someone here can edumakate me on it.
--Allen
Allen,
You may have it backwards. There maybe an airbag leak causing the pump to run all the time. Eventually, the pump, not designed to run but so many hours, fails. That is how you end up with a bad compressor + deflated air bag for the rear suspension.
Just a guess.
Jerry
13 ST Limited F/R suspension, Corbin, GIVI top case
16 Vespa Primavera 150: Stock
16 Piaggio BV350: Suspension, braking mods in work
14 HD XL1200T: F/R suspension and brake mods; Corbin saddle and bags
09 Aprilia SC250: F/R suspension and minor brake mods
97 Honda PC800: F/R wheels, F/R suspension, and F/R brake Mods; Corbin saddle
90 CB-1: In work, long term project
89 Honda NT650: F/R suspension; Corbin saddle
We have had issues with the compressor working harder than I thought it should. We added two rear spring stiffeners and it has helped to stop the pump from working so hard. Well worth the $50 for a 1/2 set in my opinion.
You may have it backwards. There maybe an airbag leak causing the pump to run all the time. Eventually, the pump, not designed to run but so many hours, fails. That is how you end up with a bad compressor + deflated air bag for the rear suspension.
Just a guess.
Jerry
+100, I think some people that are seeing a compressor fail many times has a leak and thus the compressor wears out fast!
I think some dealers find a bad compressor, replace it, but does not check for leaks.
As PMK said, you should not leak air just sitting there with the Spyder off as the compressor has a check valve. A way to test if you have a leak is to park the Spyder and check the pressure with the valve under the seat. Wait about 8 hrs and see what it reads again. If it dropped significantly, you have a leak and that will wear out the compressor.
Bob
2011 RT-S SM5 - Black
Bought June 2013 with 450 miles. 27K on 8-1-2017.
Farkles - DIY Trunk Break Light, HMT Break Light, DIY Mirror Turn Signal Lights, DIY Bluetooth Dongle, DIY iPod Setup, DIY Alarm System Install, Show Chrome front fender / rear saddle bag lights, 4th break light around the trunk, Vented Windshield, Baja Ron Sway Bar, DIY GPS setup, Smooth Spyder, BRP Chrome Mirrors, Adjustable deflectors, Triaxis handlebars, NVB Pegs, Bad Boy Airhorn... More to come
I got hold of Zurich,the people who issued my extended warranty and since the compressor in NOT on the list of exempted systems they will repair it. I will have to pay a $50.00 deductible. I just have to get it to the dealer and he will call Zurich for the authorization and off we go. I will make sure they check the bag for leaks.
If it goes out again I think I will bypass the warranty and use the VIAIR compressor that Bob found. Thanks for the info Bob.
Happy Thanksgiving to you all and thank you for your help.
Happy TRAils/NSD
Paul
2012 RT L
AMA 25 years Life Member
TRA
PGR
Rhino Riders Plate #83
Venturers #78
TOI
I got hold of Zurich,the people who issued my extended warranty and since the compressor in NOT on the list of exempted systems they will repair it. I will have to pay a $50.00 deductible. I just have to get it to the dealer and he will call Zurich for the authorization and off we go. I will make sure they check the bag for leaks.
If it goes out again I think I will bypass the warranty and use the VIAIR compressor that Bob found. Thanks for the info Bob.
Happy Thanksgiving to you all and thank you for your help.
I just went through this whole ordeal this summer, too. In the case of the OEM compressor, the check valve is a separate part that screws onto the outlet fitting. A new one won't come with the new compressor. In my case, the system wasn't holding air so I requested a new one just because. So, if you want a new one to go along with your new compressor you'll have to ask for it. About 30 bucks.
F4 Customs SWCV, Ultimate, Lidlox, Adjustable Side Vents, Leather Like Grips, SS Grills, Centramatic, Garmin XT2, BajaRon Original Sway Bar w/ Lamonster links, P238